Create your own banner at mybannermaker.com!

·A
virus is a nonliving particle that requires a host cell in order to reproduce. Viruses are made of a nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) enclosed in a protein shell or coat known as a CAPSID
· Viral infections include all colds and flu, most coughs, and most sore throats. Usually viruses involve several parts of the body. Also antibiotics cannot kill viruses
· The three types of viruses are bacteriophages, animal viruses, and retroviruses. A bacteriophage is a virus that specifically attacks bacteria and is almost like a needle and injects DNA into the cell
external image 05Ion.jpgexternal image 250px-Coronavirus.jpgexternal image retrovirus.jpg
· Viruses have three shapes; polyhedral, rod, and complex
external image adenostctr.gifexternal image rodsmed.JPG
smallpox_virus_1.jpg
· Viruses replicate through the lytic cycle which immediately makes more viruses and destroys the host cell. Also viruses have a sticky surface. Viruses may also lay dormant before reproducing
· Vaccines are the only way to prevent viruses. A vaccine is full of dead or crippled virus cells
· One example of a virus is HIV, or Human Immuno-deficiency Virus. HIV is a retrovirus and has single stranded RNA.
· A virus uses Reverse Transcriptase; makes DNA from RNA


Bacteriophage Animation
external image adlyt.gif